Shock absorber



March 16 1926.

F. E. CLARKE SHOCK ABSORBER Filed NOV. l0. 1924 Patented Mar. 16,1926. p

UNITED Siva-Tiasy PATENT OFFICE.

l FREDERICK E. CLARKE, OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T JAMES S.

LANG, OF WATERTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS.

SHOCK ABsoRBER.

Application mea November 1o, 1924. serial No. 743,852.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it'known that I, FREDERICK E. CLARKE, of Somerville, in the county ofMiddleseX and State of Massachusetts, a citizen of the United States, have invented a new and use- `ful Improvement in Shock Absorber-s, of

which the .following is a full, clear, and ex-v act description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this-specificationA in eX laining its nature. The present invention belongs to that class of shock -absorbers which' are especially adapted for motor. vehicles and in which the force required to pass a fluid through a restricted opening is utilized toprevent eX-' cessivevibration or rebound. More partici larly theinvention relates to and improvement in that type of shock absorbers illustrated in Letters Patent of the United States granted' to James. S. Lang, No. 1,448,131, dated March 13, 1923 and No. 1,492,329, `dated April 29, 1924, and other patents of 'J ames S. Lang pertaining to the same subject-matten I The invention pertains essentially to an improvement in the valvular 4control for the restricted opening in the shock absorber through which the' contained Huid is passed. The object of the invention is to provide a valvular control in which the valve will be unaffected in its operation by frictionalresistance incident to a lateral displacement of the shock absorber 4as by the vehicle to which it is attached rapidly changing its directionof movement as'by passing along a curve in the roadway or passing around a corner; also, to provide a valvular control capable of an easy and economical appli- .cation to the absorber casing and assemblage therein.

The invention can best be -seen and undcrstood by reference'to the drawings in which- Figure 1 is a vertical cross section of a shock abso-rber embodying the invention,

l such portion only of the absorber being shown as is necessary for a proper understanding of the invention.

Fig. 2 is asection on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a lsection on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 is the same as Fig. 4 excepting a slight detail to which special reference will hereinafter be made, and

Fig. 6 is a cross section in enlarged detail of a portion of one of the valvular structures shown inl Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings:-

1 represents a casing having a removable cover 2L Projecting laterally from the casing are lugs or ears 3 by which it may be secured to the body or framework of the ve` hicle. On theinside the casing is provided .with partitions 4 and 5, respectively, which fornitogether with the walls of the casing a compression Chamber 6 inside the casing and outside lthis chamber a secondary or eX- pansion chamber 7 withopenings between the two chambers.

The casing forms a' receptacle for oil contained within its respective chambers admitted to the interior of the casing by way ofvan inlet 8 closed by afilling plug 9.

`The compression chamber 6 is within a cylinder formed by the cooperation of the wall or partition 4 with'the walls of the casing. Contained to reciprocate within the cylinder is a piston 10. Extending through the upper part of the piston is a rectangular opening 11 the surrounding top and side walls of which together with the body; of the piston form a housing 12 within,l which is contained the outer end 13 of rocker arm 14. The end of the rocker arm thus contained is provided with rounding top and bottom walls in order that it may accommodate itself to relative changes-in position within the housing in which it is contained as the piston reciprocates -within the cylinder. To eliminate lost motion and 18 and 19, respectively, on the opposite side l walls of the casing, the hub 16 occupying.

the space between the bearings. The hub 1G is a split hub the disconnected parts of which are combined and the hub tightened around the rock shaft by a bolt 20. The

hub 16 is keyed to the rock shaft by means of a key 21, and in this connection it will be observed thatI the bearing 19 is of larger dialnet \r than the bearing 18 permitting of the rocli shaft with `Key in' it being inserted through the opening in the side of the casing and the key afterward iitting within a slot in the hub 16. hcrhub isafterward tightened around the rock shaft 17 by the bolt 2O when lateral displacement of either the hub or shaft is prevented -by engagement of the hub with the respective bearings 18 and 19.

The rock shaft 17 is provided outside the casing with a head 2?) and this head connectswith the axle of the vehicle by a flexible mechanism (not shown, but substantially as illust ated in the patents above referred. to).

lNith the casing secured to the body of the vehicle and the piston connectedn to its axle, any change in therelative positions of the axle and vehicle body will act to move move the piston 10, which is raised or lowered in the cylinder. Q

@wing to the manner of controlling the passage of oil between the compression chamber and the secondary chamber, the piston is controlled to move upwardly within the compressi-on chamber with a relatively free movement, but provision is made for impcding its action when moved in a re verse direction. To this end, communication between the compression and secondary or expansion chambers comprises a port 2.5

in the partition forming a valve seating, and this port is controlled by a valvular mechanism or device which permits of the contained fluid freely moving through the port from the secondary into the compression chamber on the ascent of the piston or under light pressure when the piston is moving in one direction, and permitting off the contained fluid passing out of the compression chamber through the port into the secondary chamber on thel descentfor. reverse movement of the piston only under determinate conditions of high pressure, such conditions being when the pressure within the compression chamber becomes so intense that it might, unless relieved, cause break-A ago of some of the operating parts.

The valvular mechanism or device is constructed as follows: lt comprises separate valves 26 and 27, respectively. The valve 26 is a hollow valve preferably tubular in form with an opening or passage through it. The valve is located outside the compression chamber within the secondary chamber and between the wall or parl itiou 5 and the bottom wall `of the casing l. VIlle valve is inserted within the casing through an opening 29 in the bottom of the casing. rThis opening is closed after the valve 26 has been inserted, by a. hollow threaded plug Lavetra 3() having a flange 31 which engages the under sideof the casing .on tightening the *When the valve 26 is closed communication betweenlthe compression and secondary chambers is cut oft at the forward end of the valve, but communication is had between said chambers around the rear end of the valve by way of the passage 28 through the valve which is in open communication with the port 25. `When the valve 26 is open then direct communication is had between the primary and secondary chambers by way of the port and the opening left hetween the forward end of the valve and its valve seat. lVhen fully opened the valve 26 engages t-he inner end of the plug 3Q acting as a stop. rlhe valve 26 is provided on its interior adjacent its outer end with a valve seat 341, the passage 28 being extended by this seat and through the end of the valve and which passage is controlled by the valve 27 to which reference will presently be made. 'lhe valve 26 is maintained in a normally closed position by a tension spring 35 contained within the hollow plug` and bear-y ingat one end against the bottom of the plug and at its other end against the imder side of the valve.

The valve 27 controlling the passage 28 through the valve 26 is preferably a ball valve and opens inv a direction reverse to the direction oi' opening ofthe valve 26, the valve 27, in other words, being an inwardly-opening valve with relation to the port or opening ln the present application of the valvular mechanism and in other ordinary uses thereof the valve 2T will assume by gravity a normally closed position. ln order to secure, however, its quick and positive closure I prefer that it be subjected to the tension of, a spring 36 having bearing against the valve at one end and at its opposite end against a spring holder 37 located within the hollow of the valve 26 and having an opening through it which forms part of the passage 28 through the valve26 as above referred to. rllhe spring holder S7 is held in place by means of a ring 38 which fits within an annular groove cut on the interior of the valve 26, this ring being sprung into place after the spring 36 and holder 3T have been inserted inside the valve 26. 'lhe spring 36 is in practice a spring having a very light tension as compared with the spring which holds the valve 26 in a norinally closed position.

'l`he operation of the valvular mechanism llO is as follows: Assuming the valve 26 to be closed, an excess of pressure in the secondary holderk 87, the holder is provided with a( series o-fchannels 39 cut in the under side thereof.

On the other hand, a heavy excess of pres-l sure in the compression chamber overthat in the secondary chamber due t`o the descent of the piston will find both valves 26 and 27 closed completely, shutting off communication between the two chambers. When the pressure becomes so intense as to overcome .the tension' of the spring 35 holding .the

valve 26 in a closed position, thereupon thel valve 26will be opened and the pressure allowed toescape to the secondary chamber byway of the port 25 and around, the inner end of the valve 26. Immediately upon such pressure .being relieved the Valve 26 will assume its normally closed position.

There is 'also provided an outlet from the compression chamber into the secondary chamber. l This outlet comprises one` or more -openings 40 formed within a hollow tubular fitting 41 which is inserted inside the casing through anv opening-'42 in the side thereof in line with the compressionchamber at about the bottom of this chamber.

Entrance is had into the interior of the fitting 41 from the compression chamber by way of .an opening 43 through the partition 4 and thence through the open inner endof the fitting. The 'inner end of the fitting is retained and. a slight connection established between its open end and the opening 43 by the inner end of the fitting, preferablycon.- tracted, fitting tightly within a socket 44 formed within a boss or thicken-ing on the side of the partition 4.l The outer end of the fitting 41 is retained and the opening throughit closed from the opening 42 inthe side of the casing by means of a plug 45 extending into the outer end of the fitting.` 41'. making this 'connection it is preferred that the outer end of the fitting 41 be slight` ly expanded and the inner end 46 of the threadedrto fit within the opening 42 and plug be beveled to fit snugly therein. The

l thrust ofthe plug 45, as the plug is tightened, operates not lonly to hold'the fitting, 41 securely in place, but also to establish tight connections at both ends of the fitting.

Mounted upon the fitting 41 isa rotary valve 50 having openings 51 in it which register with the openings 40 in the fitting 41 when the valve is open, the valve being v'sion chamber, the pressure of the fluid will have no appreciable inuence on the valve to change its position. It is preferred, howv ever, that the openings 40 andA 51 in the fitting and valve, respectively, be not radial openings, but bear an angular relation to one another as shown in Fig. 4.` When so arranged the fluid under pressure passing through the openings 40in the fitting will impinge upon the edge or wall 52 of the openings 50 in the valve and will operate to effect a partial closure of the valve or in any event make the valve v-ery sensitive to closure.

Arranged as it is upon the fitting fixed to the casing, the valve is movable with the cas= ing, las for example when the casing is displaced in a vertical direction. The valve has a permitted rotary movement and is held against endwise displacement by the side wallsof the casing between which the valve is interposed.

Located Within the secondary chamber of the casing and preferably arranged above the valve with freedom ofmovement within the casing in a vertical direction is a weight 54. An opening 55-in the side of the casing closed by a panel 56 permits of this weight being placed within' the casing. 57 is a 1Vertical guide for the weight and preferably takes the form of va post passing upwardly through the centre of the Weight, the weight loosely embracing the guide. The guide is mounted and extends upwardly from an ad-` justable support 58 to which it is preferably the'u'nder side of the casing around an opening therein. The outer end of the plug 59 on the adjustable guide support 58 is closed by an auxiliary plug 60'.

Loosely arranged upon the guide immediately,A beneath the weight and preferably fixed Vthereto is a thimble 61.' Arranged also upon the guide, interposed between the guide 'support 58 and the thimble, isa tension spring Y62 which acts to support 'the weight. The spring 62 is a relatively light spring but of sufficient tension to maintain the Weight in a position of substantial balance and also in a determinate position with relation to the valve through adjustment of the guide support 58 by which the spring is supported and against which it has bearmg.

IDO

Connected to the valve by a hub 6ft is a curved arm G5 the outer end 66 ot' which is made in the torni ot a claw which straddles the thimble and extends beyond it. The arrangementot the parts is such that the arm 65, when the weight is supported in a determinate position with relation to the valve and in a condition ot substantial balance, will hold the valve as shown in either Fig. Il or Fig. 5.' ln such case, it the weight be displaced compressing the spring 62 or on the other hand, it the casing and valve with kit be moved upwardly with relation to the weight, assuming the weight to maintain its position, then in either event, by reason et' the relative change in position of the weight and valve. the weight will operate to close the valve. rlo prevent the weight from turning the valve beyond a desired limit -ot motion, the valve is provided on the under side with stops 57 which engage the side ot the casing after the valve has been turned to its full closed position.

The general operation is as follows: Assuming the weight 54, unaffected by other forces, to be supported in a state ot substantial balance and supported also in such determinate position as to `maintain the valve in a full open position as indicated in Figs. l and through the connecting arms G5 ifs-issumingT now that a ilow ot tluid takes place from the compression chamber 6 throughthe outlet and openings in the valve, this being brought about by a di'liqerence o' pressures in the chambers 6 and 7, resulting1 from a movement @t the piston, at such time .the valve will be unaffected by the tlow of Vfluid 'through it, excepting that when the openings-AO in the hitting il and openings 5l in the valve bear an angular relation to one another substantially as shown in Fig. then the pressure ott Vfluid will operate 'te oi'ect a partial closure oit the valve, the spring' 62 beine` then slightly compressed and permitting ot such closure.

',rf lor any reason the weight be depresse@4 will operate through connecting1 arm to close the valve. l casing in vi4A tr a dir ation the weight one to its considerable to cause Aa of the eo suspension, will tend Lind the rise ofthe ca the'spring' ant mowment between the. l tnereupon thev valve, opening;- and closure rtive osition bel on cir connecting arm an llil the stops on turn overcome the inertia ot the weight and will return it to its original determinate position reopening; the valve through the connecting arm y These operations attend various movements ot the vehicle body in connection with which the absorber is used and result in the prevention ot excessive vibration or rebound there-olf as pointed out in detail in the patents ot` el ames tl. Lang previously referred to.

Havingr thus Ylully described my invention, l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent ot the United States vduid check shock absorber tor controlling` the movement ot' relatively movable parts comprising a casing attachable to one ot said parts and having a pressure chamber in it, said easing` being provided also with means permitting ot Ithe circulation ot a contained fluid into and out of said chamber and consistinga in part ot a controllable outlet, a piston attachable to the other ot said parts and reciprocable in said pressure chamber, a valve tor controlling,r said outlet, a weight arranged to have freedom ot movement within the casing; relatively to the valve, an elastic support for the weight, and means whereby the valve will be operated i. las

upon relative change in position between the if weight and valve.

2. L fluid check shock absorber trolling the movement of relatively movable parts comprisinga casing attachable to one of said parts and having a pressure chamber in it, casing being provided also with means permitting;- ot the circulation oi a contained fluid into and out of said chamber and consi .ing in part of a controllable enti let, a piston attaenable to the other ci' said a nd f arts reciprocable in said pre ure -Cham 3er.

, val e controlling` said outlc' casing` 1 elastica j the moveiincit or casing being 1 i out a cout-ro-.

to the el liable 'for coni porting the-weight to' occupy normally a determinate position relatively to the valve, and means whereby the weight will operate to actuate the valve for controlling said outlet upon a change in the relative positions of the weight and valve.

4. A fluid check shock absorber for controlling the movement of relatively movable parts comprising a casing attachable to one of said parts and having a pressure chamber in it, said casing being provided also with means permitting of the circulation of a contained fluid into and out of's'aid chamber and consisting in part of a controllable outlet, a piston attacha'ble to the other of said parts-and reciprocable in said pressure chamber, a valve controlling said outlet, a weight independent of the valve and having freedom of movement relatively tothe valve within the casing, a guide for the weight, an elastic support for the weight for maintaining it in a normal determinate position relatively to the valve, and a connecting means between the weight and valve for maintaining the valve in an open position when the weight is in its determinate position as aforesaid and functioning to operate the valve for controlling said outlet upon change in the relative positions between the weight and valve.

5. A fluid check shock absorber' for controlling the movement of relatively movable parts comprising a casing attachable to one of said parts and having a pressure chamber in it, said casing being pro-vided also with means permitting of the circulation of a contained fluid into and out of said chamber and consisting in part of a controllable outlet, a piston attachable to the other of said parts and reciprocable in said .pressure chamber, a Valve controlling said outlet arranged within the casing in a manne-r where-` .by the valve will move with the casing when the casing is subjected to aforce tending to displace it in a vertical direction,a

weight -contained within the, casing, means for elastically supporting the Weight whereby when the casing and valve .'are subjected to a force tending to displace them in a vertical direction the valve will move relatively to the weight due to the inertia of the weight, and means whereby the valve will be operatedy by the weight to control said outlet as the valve moves relatively to the weight as aforesaid. f I

6. A fluid check shock absorber for controlling the movement of relatively movable parts comprising a casing attachableto one of said parts and having a pressure chamber in it, said casing being provided also withv chamber, a valve controlling said outlet ar-YA to the weight when the casing and valve aresubjected to a force tending to displace them in a vertical direction, a guide for the weight, means for elastically supportino' the weight, and means whereby the valve will be operated by the weight to control said outlet as the valve moves relatively to the weight as aforesaid. i

7.A fluid check shock absorber for controlling the movement of relatively movable parts comprising a casing attachable to one of said parts and having a pressure chamber in it, Vsaid casing being provided also with meanspermitting of the circulation of a contained fluid into and out of said cham ber and consisting in part of a controllable outlet, a 'piston attachable tothe other of j said parts and reciprocable in said pressure weight in a normally determinate position with relation to the valve, and means whereby the weight will operate to close the valve .when the valve is moved relatively to the weight upon displacement of the valve as aforesaid and afterward assist in reopening the-valve upon the return of the weight to its said normal determinate position.

8. A fluid check shock absorber for controlling the movement of lrelatively mov- .able vparts comprising a casing attachable to one of said parts and having a pressure chamber in it, said casing being provided also with means permitting of the circulation of a contained fluid into and out of said chamber and consisting in` part of a controllable outlet, a piston attachable to the other of said parts and reciprocable in said pressure chamber, a rotary valve controlling said outlet, means for mounting the valve to` be movable with the casing when the casing is subjected to force tending to move itin a vertical direction, a

.weight loosely arranged within the casing,

means for supporting the weight comprising in part an elastic support for maintaining the weight in a 'normally ldeterminate position with relation to the valve, and means whereby the valve will be operated tor controlling said outlet upon a relative change 1n the position ot the Weight and valve.

'of a contained lluid into and out of said chamber and consisting in part ot a fixture connecting with the pressure chamber and having an opening in it providing an outlet trom said chamber, a piston attachable to the other of said parts and reciprocable in said pressure chamber, a rotary valve mounted upon said fixture tor controlling the outlet, Weight loosely arranged Within the casing, means for elastically supporting the Weight in a normal determinate position 'afithrelation to the valve and in a manner whereby owing to the inertia ot the Weight the valve will be move-d relatively to the Weight when the casing and valve are subjected to a torce tending to displace them in a vertical direction, and means whereby the Weight Will operate to close the valve when the valve is moved "atively to the Weight upon displacement -the valve as aforesaid and afterward assist in reopening the valve upon the return of the valve to its normal determinate position.

lo. duid chcclr shock absorber for controlling the movement or" relatively movable parts comprising a lcasing attaehable one of said parts and having a pressure chamber in it.7 said casing being provided also with means pemitting orn the circulation of a contained fluid into and out ot said chamber and consisting in part ot a fixture connecting -with the pressure chamber and having an opening in it providingN an outlet from said chamber, a piston attaehable to the other said parts and reciprocable in said pressure chamber, a rota valve mounted upon said nxture and hai an openiniT in it coincident with the opening in said nxture when the valve open, said openings in the nature and valve, respectively, being singularly arranged -with relation to one another whereby g nader pressure when compressed by the pist-on passing through said openings ya t effect a partial closure of the va tend a `Weight loosely arranged vi hin the casing, means :tor elastically supporting the 'Weight -normal determinate position with rei y"o the valve and in a manner Whereby ovving to the inertia of the WeiC3 rve Will be moved relatively 'the wei nt ,i the casing and valve subjected to ree tending to displace them in a L direction, and means whereby the operate to close the valve when Lavetra valve is moved relatively to the Weight upon displacement of the valve as aforesaid and afterward assist in reopening the valve upon the return ot the valve to its normal determinate position.

ll. A 'lluid check shock absorber i'or controlling the movement ot relatively movable parts comprising a casing attachable to one of said partsand having a pressure chamber in it, said casing being provided also with means permitting of the circulation ot' a contained fluid into and out of said chamber and consisting in -part of a iixture connecting with the pressure chamber and having an opening in it providing an outlet from said'chamber, a piston attachable to the other of said parts and reciprocable in said pressure chamber, a rotary valve mounted upon said friture and having an opening in it coincident with the opening in said fixture When the valve is open, said openings in the fixture and valve, respectively, being angularly arranged with relation to one another whereby the fluid under pressure when compressed by the piston pass-A v ing through said openings will tend to ellect a partial closure of the valve, a Weight arranged to have freedom of movement with'- in the casing relatively to the valve, means tor elastically supporting the Weight, and means `whereby the valve will be operated upon relative change in position between the Weight and valve.

i2. fluid check shock absorber Jor controlling the movement of relatively movable parts comprising a casing attachable to one ot said parts and having a pressure chamber in it, said casing being provided also with means permitting or the Acirculation of a contained fluid into and out orn said chamber and consisting in part ot a ixture connectingi with. the pressure chamber hav an opening in it providing an outlet said chamber, said .lixture being inserte side the casing through an opening side thereof, a plug etaining said lirturc elosing the outer end thereoiu and said opening in the sine of the casing, a piston tache-ble to the other of said cinrooable said pressure chamber, a :covalve ounted upon said i'izture ecn- 'iolling saro. outlet, Weight arranged to have edom ot movement vvi' relatively o the valve, means. ior elas' rveigand means will be operated position between' id checlr vboel:

movem 2t o; co" :arising a farts and chamber and consisting in part of a conl'trollable' outlet, a/piston attachable to the lother of said parts and reciproeable lin said pressure chamber, a valve "for controlling y said outlet, a weight arranged to have free-v dom of movement within the'icasing rel-atively to the valve, a guide for' said weight, an adjustable support for said guide. a spring arranged upon the guide interposed between the guide support and the weight for elastic-ally supporting the weight, and

' weight and valve.

means whereby the valve will be operated upon relative change in position between the 14. A fluid check shock absorberfor controlling the movement of relatively movable partscomprising a casing attachable to one of said partsand having a pressure chamber in it, said casing being provided-also withy means permitting of the circulation of a contained fiuid into andpout of said chamber y and consisting in part of a lfixture connecting with the pressure chamber and having an opening in it providing an outlet from said chamber, a piston att-achable to the other of said parts and reciproeable in said pressure chamber, a rotary valve mounted upon said fixture for controlling said outlet,

a .weight arranged to have. freedom of movement within the casing relatively to the valve, means for elastically supporting said -valve upon a relative change in -position of said weight and valve, and means for limit- -ing the closing movement of said valve.

1 5. A iiuid check shock absorber for controlling the movement of relatively movable parts comprising a casing attachable to one of said parts and having a pressure chamber in it, said casing being provided also with means permitting of the circulation of a conand consisting in' part of a fi'xture connecting with the pressure chamber .and 4having an openin in it providing an outlet from ain-ea Huid int@ and out of Said chamber said cham er, a piston attachable to thel other-of said parts and reciprocable in said -pressure chamber, a rotary valve mounted upon said fixture for controlling said outlet, a Weight arranged to have freedom of movement'within said easing, a guide for the.

weight, an adjustable support forthe guide,

a. thimble loosely arranged upon the guidev beneath said weight, a lspring interposed between'said guide support and-Weightwith bearing against said thimble, yand a curved arm connected to said valve and having a forked end embracing said thimble,

16. In afluid check shock absorber, a casing, a piston reciproeable inside said casing, said piston being provided with a housing,

a rock shaft journaled tol turn on said oas- 'Y ing, a rocker arm connected to said 'shaft to extend therefrom with the. outer free end of the arm locatedl within said housing, and a spring contained within said housing against which said outer end" o f the rocker arm has bearing. i

17. In a fluideheck shock absorber, a casing having s aced bearings formed thereon. and a rock s aft journaled to turn in said bearings, said shaft extending through an opening in the' side of the casing adJa'cent one of said bearings and which opening and said one of the bearings are of larger internal diameter than the other of said bearings, a rocker arm having a split hub .fitting around said vshaft located between said bearings, means vfor tightening said hub onto said shaft, and a key between said Ahub and shaft, the arrangement being such that the rock shaft with key in it may be inserted inside said casing'through the opening in the side thereof and bearing adjacent thereto in the assemblage of the parts prior to the onto said shaft@ L FREDERICK CLARKE. 

